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MITIGATING THE GROWING RISK OF HEARING LOSS

Photo: U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest

STRUCTURAL OR WILDLAND:

A FIRECOM SPECIAL REPORT

Page 1 MITIGATING THE GROWING RISK OF HEARING LOSS

HEARING LOSS IS THE

THIRD MOST COMMON

CHRONIC PHYSICAL

CONDITION IN THE

UNITED STATES, AND IS

MORE PREVELANT THAN

DIABETES OR CANCER.

Firefighters have a lot to worry about beyond the immediate dangers that an emergency call

might bring about. Structural firefighter hearing loss claims are on the rise due to exposure

to loud sirens, air horns, and other loud equipment. The chainsaws, chippers and masticators

wildland firefighters need to leverage often exceeds occupational exposure limits.

In any setting, the risks are high. What is your department doing to help prevent hearing loss on

the job?

STATISTICS DON’T LIE

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “Hearing loss is the third most

common chronic physical condition in the United States, and is more prevalent than diabetes or

cancer.” CDC continues, “Occupational hearing loss, primarily caused by high noise exposure, is

the most common U.S. work-related illness.”

Without proper hearing protection, firefighters and EMTs are in danger of incurring hearing

damage. There’s no getting around the obvious need for attention-getting devices to clear the

way through traffic and busy intersections, or for firing up a chainsaw to clear brush while bat-

tling a wildfire. But crews exposed to this level of noise may be at risk of permanent hearing loss.

Siren noise, per the CDC, is rated as dangerously high. Standing beside or near a standard siren

rated at 120 dB is likely to result in “pain and ear injury.” As a frame of reference, siren noise is

listed at just below firecrackers (at 140-150 dB) and above close-proximity shouting or barking

(110 dB). Anything rated at or above 80 dB with a duration of two hours may result in noise-in-

duced hearing loss.

IMPACTS OF NOISE - BEYOND HEARING DAMAGE

It gets worse. Did you know there’s also a strong link between loud noise and high blood

pressure and cholesterol?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) initiated a study estimating

the prevalence of occupational noise exposure, hearing difficulty and cardiovascular conditions

across multiple US industries and occupations. They found that 58% of hearing difficulty cases,

9% of high cholesterol cases, and 14% of high blood pressure cases among workers were linked

to loud noise on the job. Our body’s natural stressors click on in response to potential threats.

And it takes a toll.

GETTING A PROGRAM TOGETHER AT YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT

Noise exposure and other health risks are real problems for firefighters. So now what? How do

you tackle this to ensure firefighters are protected and the station isn’t overrun with hearing loss

claims? NIOSH suggests fire departments establish and maintain department-specific hearing

loss prevention programs.

MITIGATING THE GROWING RISK OF HEARING LOSS Page 2

USE OF COMMUNICATION

HEADSETS DURING

EQUIPMENT TRAINING

ENSURES IMPORTANT

INSTRUCTIONS ARE HEARD

CLEARLY WHILE KEEPING

DANGEROUS NOISES OUT.

RECOMMENDATION FROM NIOSH

Engineering and administrative controls to limit firefighters’ overall exposure

to noise from equipment or in the work environment. Fire departments should

incorporate noise emission limits in their purchasing agreements for new equipment

[Neitzel et al. 2012; Duffy et al. 1992; Tubbs 1991]. The “Buy Quiet” process recommend-

ed by NIOSH encourages a purchaser to compare the noise emission levels of different

models of equipment and, whenever possible, buy the quieter model [Hayden 2012].

WHAT TO CONSIDER

When choosing Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs), be sure you look at the Noise

Reduction Rating (NRR) to ensure you’re covered.

An NRR number represents how much noise is reduced by the proper use of a hearing

protection device. In general, bigger numbers represent more noise reduction.

RECOMMENDATION FROM NIOSH

Training about harmful noise levels from various tasks and equipment, the

effects of noise exposure, and hearing loss [Duffy et al. 1992].

WHAT TO CONSIDER

Wear communication headsets during equipment training. It’s the same reason

trainee’s wear their turnout gear and SCBA’s while drilling; to nail their preparedness

for an actual emergency.

Removing ear plugs to communicate negates their effectiveness, right? Using headsets

ensures important instructions are clearly heard while keeping dangerous noises out.

RECOMMENDATION FROM NIOSH

Training about appropriate hearing protection devices, especially electronic devices

designed specifically for fire fighters and that provide enhanced communication capabilities

and block harmful noise.

WHAT TO CONSIDER

Earplugs or earmuffs reduce noise but introduce a communication barrier by making it

difficult to hear and understand speech, alarms and warnings.

Consider an all-in-one solution that addresses hearing protection as well as

situational awareness, mobility and wireless communication.

OVERESTIMATING NOISE

REDUCTION CAN LEAD TO

INADEQUATE PROTECTION

AND HEARING LOSS.

RECOMMENDATION FROM NIOSH

Individualized training on the proper use of hearing protection devices using commer-

cially available fit-test systems [Murphy et al. 2011]. Fit-testing allows for easy and accurate

measurement of hearing protection effectiveness just as they are being used in the field.

WHAT TO CONSIDER

If a user doesn’t follow proper procedures when fitting their HPD, the device won’t

reduce as much sound as the NRR rating implies. Overestimating noise reduction can

lead to inadequate protection and hearing loss.

BOTTOM LINE

Permanent hearing loss is preventable. Mitigating hearing loss claims is manageable when you

put the extra effort into creating a hearing loss prevention program. You’ll keep everyone alert

and aware, and protect the station from lost time and money.

REFERENCES

1. Hearing Impairment Among Noise-Exposed Workers - United States, 2003-2012; https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/

mm6515a2.htm.

2. What Noises Cause Hearing Loss? https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_noises_cause_hearing_loss.html

3. NIOSH Study, “Cardiovascular Conditions, Hearing Difficulty, and Occupational Noise Exposure within U.S. Industries and

Occupations”, March 14, 2018.

4. “Promoting Hearing Health Among Fire Fighters”; NIOSH Workplace Solutions. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solu-

tions/2013-142/pdfs/2013-142.pdf

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